Treating agent dispenser for automatic washing machine

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed a dispenser for storing and dispensing treating agent in an automatic washing machine. The dispenser is designed to position the treating agent container in a sealed storage position regardless of variations in the device caused by manufacturing and assembly tolerances.

United States Patent 1 Allison et al. t '1 [11] 3,811,600 1451 May 21,1974 I TREATING AGENT DISPENSER FOR AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE [75]Inventors: James E. Allison, Jeffersontown;

Bob F.'Boecker, Louisville, both of Ky. [73] Assignee: General ElectricCompany, 1 Louisville, Ky. [22] Filed: Oct. 11, 1972 [21] App]. No.:296,618

[52] US. Cl. 222/70, 222/166 [51] Int. Cl B67d 5/08 [58] FieldofSearch..'.....'222/70,166,167,168,

[ 56] "1 References Cited I UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,419,192 lat/196s Wrightenberry 222/70 x illllia.

Stribling 16/146 Duncan et al. 222/l66 X Primary Examiner-Stanley H.Tollberg Assistant Examiner-Larry Martin Attorney, Agent, orFirm-Francis H. Boos, Jr.

' [5 7] ABSTRACT There is disclosed a dispenser for storing anddispensing treating agent in an automatic washing machine. The dispenseris designed to position the treating agent container in a'sealed storageposition regardless of variations in the device caused by manufacturing.

and assembly tolerances.

11 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDIIAY 21 I974 SHEEI 1 3F 3 FIG. I

PATENWDMYU m4 3.81 1 500 saw a D? a 3,419,192 and 3,426,944.

, This invention relates to treating agent dispensing devices and moreparticularly to such devices which are particularly adapted for use inautomatic washing machines. It is well known to provide means forautomatically dispensing treating agents such as detergents, rinse aids,pre-soak materials, and the like, into the wash chamber of an automaticwashing machine. Typical devices of this type known in the'prior art aredisclosed in U.S. ,Pat. Nos. 3,212,675; 3,233,782;

Treating agent dispensers of the type used in automatic washing machinesare typically located on the door of the machine. By opening the door,access is provided to the dispenser container for filling the same. Whenthe door is closed against the machine, the dispenser container isgenerally vertical. The dispenser holds the treating agent in a storageposition and, typically in response to a timer mechanism, moves thecontainer to a dispensing position; All treating agent dispensers ofthis type purport to provide a sealed storage position to preventwashing liquids from entering the treating agent container..This innecessary since typically granular treating agents, such as detergents,will cake onto the treating agent container if they become moist ordamp. It will be readily apparent that an imperfect seal between thecontainer and its closure will act to retain a substantial portion ofthe treating agent in the container and may accordingly detract from thewashing efficiency of the machine.

When perfectly made or when made to rather small tolerances, the devicesin the prior art function accepttween a plurality of latching stationsoperative in the first position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a fragmentary cross sectionalview of a door for an automatic dishwasher having mounted thereon thedispenser of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the dispenser of this invention illustratingthe container in the dispensing position;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the dispenser of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross sectional view of the dispenser of thisinvention illustrating the relation between the container and housingimmediately prior to sealing;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 illustrating the container in' thesealed storage position;

FIG.-6 is a back view of the dispenser of FIGS. 1-5 illustrating thelatch means holding the container in the sealed storage position;

' FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 illustrating the position' of thelatch means when the container is in the dispensing position; and

FIG. 8 is a back view of another embodiment of this invention andillustrating the latch means thereof holding the container in the sealedstorage position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT pivotally secured to adishwasher cabinet (not shown) ably to seal the treating agent containerin the storage position. It is inevitable in the mass production ofauto,- matic washing machines that the treating agent dispenser issubject to manufacturing tolerances of each component thereof as well asassembly tolerances. It will accordingly be apparent that in the massproduction of automatic washing machines, manufacturing tolerances cancause inoperative or partially inoperative seals in a sizeablepercentage of dispensers.

The dispenser of this invention is designed to accommodate largetolerances and produce fully operative sealing of the treating agentcontainer.

It is an object of thisinvention to providea dispenser I having adispensing position and a storage position, and

means for sealing a treating agent container in the storage position.

In summary, this invention comprises a device for dispensing treatingagent into the wash chamber of an automatic washing machine including asassemblage comprising a container component and a closure component.means mounting the components for relative movement between storage anddispensing positions, and seal means operative between the components inthe storage position for sealing the container; and means for holdingthe assemblage in the sealed storage position and for releasing the samemovement toward the dispensing position including latch means includingfirst and second latching members, means mounting the first and secondlatching members for movement between first and second positionscorresponding respectively to the storageanddi'spensing positions, thefirst and second latching members defining therebefor movement between agenerally vertical closed position and a generally horizontal openposition. A typical door of this type is described in greater detail inU.S. Pat. No. 3,125,249 to which reference is made for a more completedescription thereof. The door 10 comprises an outer panel 12 and aninner panel, 14 defining therebetween a chamber 16 for receiving a timerl8, electrical wiring (not shown), switches (not shown), part of thedispenser of this invention and the like.

The timer 18 may be of any suitable type providing a tripping arm 20which is typically made of wire having a hook 22 on thelower endthereof. Timers of this basic type have been in production by theassignee of this invention for some time. The timer 18 also includes acontrol shaft 24 projecting through the front door panel 12 and havinga.knob 26 thereon for controlling the inner mechanism of the timer 18.

In accordance with this invention, a dispenser 28 is provided to storeand dispense treating agent into the wash chamber djacent the door 10 inresponse to control of the timer 18. As shown best in FIG. 3, thedispenser 28 comprises as major components a housing 30 having acontainer receiving opening 32 therein, a container 34, means 36mounting the container for movement into and out of the opening 32 andmeans 38 for holding the container 34 in a storage position inside theopening 32 and for releasing the same for movement to a dispensingposition out of the opening 32.

As shown best in FIGS. 2 and 3, the housing 30 comprises an outer wall40 having therein a cup-shaped depression 42 for receiving a charge oftreating agent for use in the first wash cycle of the automaticdishwasher. The outer wall 40 is spaced from the inner panel 14 of thedoor 10 by a plurality of bosses 44 and screwwa'sher assemblies 46. Apartition wall 48 extends from the outer wall 40 to the inner door panel14 thus providing an enclosure for the container 34. A suitableperipheral wall 50 extends about the housing 30 and generally mergeswith the configuration presented by the inner panel 14. A generallytriangular member 52 extends along the bottom of the opening 32 forpurposes more fully explained hereinafter.

In cooperation with the container 34, the housing 30 provides sealingfunctions..As shown best in FIGS. 3-5, a shoulder 54 and the leadingedge 56 of the member 52 provide sealing surfaces for the upper andlower edges of the container 34. The leading surface 58 of a shoulder 60provides a sealing surface for one end of the container 34. As will bemore fully apparent hereinaafter, the leading edge 62 of an arcuate arm64 acts to seal part of the opposite end of the container 34. It will beapparent that the shoulder 54, the edge 56, the surface 58 and the edge62 reside in a common plane for sealably engaging a planar member.

The treating agent container 34 is of generally triangular shapecomprising a bottom wall 66, generally perpendicular side walls 68, 70and an arcuate side wall 72. The side walls 68, 70-, 72 may presentgraduated shoulders 74 providing a measuring capability for thecontainer 34. A pair of ears 76, 78, having respective apertures 77 and79, project from adjacent the juncture of the side walls 68, 70 in orderto mount the container 34 for pivoting movement into and out of thecontainer receiving opening 32 as will be more fully apparenthereinafter. A shouldered arm 80 extends from adjacent the juncture ofthe sidewalls 68, 72 and is disposed for cooperation with the shoulder60 providing a limit of pivotal movement of the container 34.

A sealing wall 82 is spaced from the container sidewall 70 and isrigidly connected between the ears 76, 78 and an extension 84 of thecontainer sidewall 72. A non-sealing wall 86 generally perpendicularlyprojects from the upper end of the sealing wall 82. As will be seen mostclearly in FIGS.'4 and 5, the wall 82 abuts the shoulder 54 and the edge56 and forms part of the seal for the container 34. It will be apparentthat the outer end of the wall 82 sealably engages the surface 58. Theinner end of the wall 82, between the ears 76, 78 sealably engages thesurface 62. It will accordingly be apparent that the container 34 issealed throughout substantially the entire periphery thereof. 7

The housing 30 is also provided with an overhang 88 overlying an closelyspaced from the non-sealing wall 86. When the dishwasher is in use, thewall 86 and overhand 88 extend generally downwardly. In order for waterto get into the container 34, it necessarily has to pass between theoverhang 88 and the wall 86 and past the point of contact between thesealing wall 82 and the housing 30. It will accordingly be seen that thehousing 30 and container 34 define therebetween seal means operative inthe storage position for sealing the container 34.

Moveable with the container 34 and moveable relative thereto is a door90. The door 90 comprises a generally flat section 92 providing an ear94 positioned between the ears 76, 78. The door 90 also provides ahandle 96 which may be grasped by the user for purposes more fullyexplained hereinafter. A spring 98 biases the door 90 away from the wall82. As shown most clearly in FIGS. 4 and 5, the spring 98 is positionedbetween recesses provided by the wall 92 and a boss 100 extendingbetween the walls 70, 82. A cathc 102 rigid with the sealing wall 82extends through an opening 104 in the door 90. The catch 102 and opening104 act to prevent overtravel of the door relative to the sealing wall82 and to transmit outward pulling forces, imposed on the door 90, tothe wall 82 as will be explained more fully hereinafter.

The mounting means 36 acts to pivotally mount the container 34 formovement between storage and dispensing positions and also acts totransmit forces created by the holding and releasing means 38 to thecontainer 34. To these ends, the mounting means 36 comprises a shaft 106having spaced aligned keys or pins 108, 110 thereon. As shown in FIG. 3,the housing 30 comprises spaced openings 112, 114. I

As may be seen in FIG. 3, the ears 78, 94 provide keyways for passingthe shaft key 110. In the assembled condition, the shaft key 110 resideswholly within the ear 94 such that the door 90 and the shaft 106 areinterconnected for directly transmitting rotational movementtherebetween. The upper end 116 of the shaft 106 is dimensioned to fitsnugly within the housing opening 114 while the upper end of the key 110acts to prevent over-insertion of the shaft 106 into the openings 112,114. A shoulder 118 is provided on the shaft 106 between the key 110 andthe upper end 116 to snap into a reduced diameter portion of the openingin ear 76 as suggested in FIG. 1. A cap 120 may be insertably adaptedfor utilization in the assembled position for insertion into the upperend ofthe shaft 106 for substantially sealing the opening 114. A shaftseal 122 is passed along the shaft 106 and over the key 108 for sealingbetween the inner door panel 14 and the bottom of the housing 30adjacent the opening 112.

The releasing and holding means 38 comprises as major components a cammember 124, a first latch member 126, means 128 imparting apredetermined bias between the members 124, 126, a second latch member130 and means 132 for biasing the members 124, 126 toward a positionplacing the container 34 in the dispensing position.

The cam member 124 provides an aperture 134 therein having a keyway forreceiving the shaft key 108. The keyway does not extend entirely throughthe opening 134 such that, in the assembled condition, the shaft 106projects through the member 124 as may be seen in FIG. 1. It willaccordingly be seen that the cam member 124 and the door 90 areinterconnected for transmitting rotational movement therebetween. Thecam member 124 includes a plurality of camming surfaces 136, 138, forcooperation with the second latch member 130 as will be more fullyexplained hereinafter. A pin 142 projects from the cam member 124 forcooperation with the first latch member 126 as will be more fullyexplained hereinafter. As shown best in FIG. 1, the cam member 124comprises a recess 144 for receiving part of the biasing means 128.

The first latch member 126 provides an aperture 146 extendingtherethrough and receiving the end of the shaft 106. A keeper 148retains the first latch member 126 on the shaft 106. The first latchmember 126 is accordingly rotatable about the shaft 106. The first latchmember 126 provides a recess 150 for receiving part of the biasing means128 as will be apparent in FIG. 1. An arcuate slot 152 is provided inthe first latch member 126 for receiving the pin 142 and thereby placingthe members 124, 126 in driving connection. Providing an important partof the first latch member 126 are a first latching tooth 154 and aplurality of similar adjacent latching teeth 156 which cooperate withthe second latch member 130 to provide a plurality of latching stationsoperative in the storage position of the container 34 to assure that thesealing means therefor is fully operative. The first latch member 126also includes a tooth camming surface l58 and an alignment cammingsurface 160.

The biasing means 128 conveniently comprises a conventional helicalspring 162 having one arm 164 in driving connection with the cam member124 and another arm 166 in driving connection with the first latchmember 126. It will be seen that the spring 162 biases the members-124,126 apart thereby placing the pin 142 adjacent one end of the slot 152as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

The second latch member 130 comprises a latch arm I68 having an aperture170 at one end thereof for receiving a boss 172. A screw 174 and washer176 are conveniently used to secure the boss 172 to the boss 44 on thehousing 30 and thereby mount the latch arm 168 for pivotal movement. Thelatch arm 168, comprises one or more latching teeth 178 for engaging thelatching teeth 154, 156 of the first latch member 126. The latchingteeth 178 provides a camming surface 180 as is conventional. The secondlatching member 130 also comprises a cam 182 and cam arm 184 forcooperation with the cam member 124 as will be explained more fullyhereinafter. Also provided on the second latch arm 130 is a slottedextension 186 for receiving the hook22 of the timer trip arm 20.

The biasing means 132 conveniently includes ahelical tension spring 188connected at one end to an opening 190 on the latch arm 168 spaced fromthe axis of rotation thereof. The other end of the spring 188 isconnected to an opening 192 onthe first latch member 126 at a locationspaced from the axis of rotation thereof as may be afforded by a crankarm 194.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art. the door 10 is openedfrom the vertical position shown in FIG. I to a generally horizontalposition or filling the container 34. After the user has placed treatingagent in the container 34, the door 10 is closed and the washing cycleis commenced by manipulation of the control knob 26. When the timer 18trips the dispenser 28, the container 34 moves out of the housing 30 andthe material therein is discharged into the wash chamber.

AS will be seen..the dispenser 28 has three modes of operation: (1)timer operated movement from te storage position of FIGS. 5 and 6 to theopen position of FIGS. 2 and 7 for dispensing the material in thecontainer 34; (2) manually operated movement from the storage positionof FIGS. 5 and 6 to the open position of FIGS. 2 and 7 in order to loadthe container 34; and (3) manually operated movement from the openposition of FIGS. 2 and 7 to the storage'position of FIGS. 5 and 6. v g

Assuming that the container 34 has been filled and placed in the storageposition of FIGS. 2 and 7, the door 10 is closed and the wash cycle ofthe dishwasher commenced, the timer 18 will ultimately pull upwardly onthe trip arm 20 thereby pulling. upwardly-on the second latch member 130to disengage the latching teeth 178, 156. This release of the firstlatch member 130 allows th spring 188 to contract thereby moving thecontainer '34 from the storage position illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 tothe dispensingposition illustrated in. FIGS.

2 and 7. It will accordingly be seen that the treating agent in thecontainer 34 is discharged into the wash chamber by gravity. It willalso be seen that the spray of water in the wash chamber will act toclean the container 34 and thereby place substantially all of thetreating agent in the washing chamber during a timed washing cycle.

It often happens that a housewise will close the container 34 after theend of a washing cycle. Manual movement of the container 34 to the.storage position is discussed more fully hereinafter. It is sufficientto note that it is often desirable to manually move the container 34from the storage position of FIG. 6 to the open position of FIG. 7,usually to load the container 34. In this circumstance. the door 10 isnecessarily open. The user grasps the handle 96 and pulls thereon awayfrom the housing 30. Since the door is in rotation transmitting relationto the cam member 124, the cam member 124 also commences rotation, whichis :clockwise as viewed in FIG. 6. The slot 152 in the first latchmember 126 allows relative rotation between the members 124, 126.

The cam 182 accordinglycomes into engagement with the camming surfacel40 thereby moving the latch arm 168 in a generally counterclockwisedirection. As the cam 182 passes the apex defined by the cammingsurfaces 138, 140, the latching teeth 178, 156 disengage therebyallowing the spring 188 to move the latch member 126, the cam member 124and the container 34 toward the loading position of FIG. 7.

To move the container 34 from the loading or dispensing position of FIG.7 to the storage position of FIG. 6, the door 10 is obviously open andusually in a horizontal position. The user presses against the door 90resulting in counterclockwise movement of the container 34 as viewed inFIGS. 5 and 6. The cam 182 on the second latch member 126 engages thecamming surface 136 thereby elevating the latch arm 168 in preparationfor latching engagement. As the cam I82 passes onto the camming surface138, upward movement of the latch arm I68 ceases. AS the cam 182 passesonto the camming surface 142, the latch arm 168 is depressed by thespring 188 such that the camming face 180 adjacent the latch tooth 178engages the camming surface 158 on the first latch member 126. It isaccordingly apparent that the latching members 126, are, at thislocation, conditioned for imminent latching. Ideally, the position ofimminent latching occurs when the container 34 is slightly ajar forpurposes more fully explained hereinafter.

Continued pressing by the user on the door 90 causes the cammingsurfaces 158, to slightly elevate the latch arm 168 and thereby placethe latching tooth 178 in latching engagement with the first latchingtooth I54 carried by the first latch member 126.

At this instant. the container 34 is latched in the storage position butis not necessarily sealed since the sealing wall 82 may or may not be inengagement with the sealing elements afforded by the housing-30, assuggested in FIG. 4. Continued pressing by the user on the door 90 maycause continued rotation of the cam member 124 and thereby causecontinued rotation of the first latch member 126. As the latch member126 continues to rotate, the latching tooth 178 is latched withsucceeding ones of the latching teeth 156. As the door 90 approaches theclosed position, the sealing wall 82 engages the sealing elements of thehousing 30. After the sealing wall 82 is placed in sealing engagementwith the housing 30, the door 90 may continue movemement toward the wall82 as allowed by compression of the spring 98, as shown in FIG. 5. Sincethe door 90 is driveably connected to the cam member 124 which is inturn driveably connected to the first latch member 126, the door 90effectively places the latching tooth 178 in latching engagement withthe tooth 156 that affords the tightest sealing engagement between thewall 82 and the sealing elements of the housing 30.

In the event the cam arm 184 becomes warped toward camming engagementwith the first latch member 126, the alignment camming surface 160becomes operative. As may be visualized from FIGS. 1 and 3, the cammingsurface 160 tends to move the cam 182 toward engagement with the cammember 124.

Also promoting a seal between the housing 30 and the container 34 is theslight oval configuration of the openings or apertures 77 and 79 in theears 76 an 78. In the latched position, spring 98 pushes againstcontainer 34. Slight eccentricity on the apertures 77 and 79 allows thesealing wall 82 to shift in the direction of the sealing plane. Thisallows the sealing wall 82 to seek its closest position to the sealingelements of the container 30.

As mentioned previously, one difficulty with prior art dispensers of thetype used in automatic washing machines is that the seal affordedthereby is subject to the vagaries of production tolerances. Incontrast, the dispenser 28 of this invention accommodates suchtolerances since the plurality of latching teeth 1'54, 156 allowspositioning of the sealing wall 82 in sealing engagement with thehousing 30in a pluralityof different positions of the holding andreleasing means 38. In another sense. the plurality of latching teeth154, 156 constitutes a lost motion connection between the second latchmember 130 and the first latch member 126.

Referring to FIG. 8, there is illustrated another embodiment of theinvention. For purposes of brevity, substantially identical componentsare referenced by analogous reference characters with only thedifferences between the embodiments being specifically discussed. Themajor difference between the embodiment of FIG. 8 and the previouslydiscussed embodiment resides in the members 324, 326, 330. In operation,the major distinction between the dispenser 228 and th dispenser 28resides in the manual opening of the container 234. In the dispenser 28,manual opening of the container 34 causes unlatching of the latchmembers 126, 130. In contrast, manual opening of the container 234leaves the latch members 326, 330 in latched position with a lost motionconnection between the members 324. 326 accommodating outward movementof the container 234.

To this end, the member 324 has been modified to remove the cammingsurfaces that cause unlatching movement in response to rotation of themember 324. The surface corresponding to surfaces 138, 140 describe acircular are about the axis of rotation of the member 324. The slot 352in the first latch member 326 has been elongated to allow at least 90rotation between the members 324., 326.

With the container 234 in the storage position of FIG. 8, the user maygrasp the handle 296 and pull outwardly thereon. Since the container234is directly connected to the member 324, the member 324 also rotatesthereby moving the pin 342 through the slot 352. It will be apparentthat the pin 342 clears the slot 352 without unlatching of the members326, 330. The user may pull the container 234 fully open in order toplace treating agent therein. Upon release of the handle 236 by theuser, the biasing means 328 forces the member 324 in a counterclockwisedirection toward the position shown in FIG. 8 thereby moving thecontainer 232 back to the sealed storage position.

I claim:

1. A device for dispensing treating agent into a wash chamber of anautomatic washing machine comprising an assemblage including a containercomponent and a closure component, means mounting one of the componentsfor relative movement to the other components movement between storageand dispensing positions, and sealing elements carried by the componentsfor sealing engagement in the storage position; and

means for biasing the sealing elements together in the storage position,for holding the assemblage in the storage position and for releasing thesame for movement toward the dispensing position including a handle andmeans mounting thehandle for movement with the movable component and formovement relative thereto for transmitting holding and closing forces tothe movable component;

a first latching member and means drivably connecting the handle to thefirst latching member independently of the movable component;

a second latching member defining with the first latching member aplurality of different latching stations operative at the storageposition; and

means operative between the handle and the movable component at thestorage position for biasing the movable component toward the stationarycomponent for placing the sealing elements in sealing engagement.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the closure component comprises astationary housing having a container receiving opening therein and themounting means comprises means mounting the container for movement intoand out of the housing for respectively storing and dispensing theagent.

3. The device of claim 1 further comprising means fir biasing themovable component toward the dispensing position upon release of thelatching members.

4. The device of claim 1 including means operative in response tomanually operated movement of the handle toward the dispensing positionfor uncoupling the driving connection between the first latch member andthe handle.

5. The device of claim I wherein the sealing elements define a sealingplane. the component mounting means comprise means pivotally mountingthe components about an axis and means allowing relative movement to thecomponents transverse of the axis along the sealing plane.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the closure component comprises astationary housing having a container receiving opening therein, thecomponent mounting means comprises a shaft journalled in the housing forrotation relative thereto and means mounting the container on the shaftfor rotation thereabout, the connecting means including a first memberfixed to the shaft comprise means pivotally mounting the components 7about an axis including a shaft journalled in the stationary componentfor rotation relative thereto, the movable component componentcomprising spaced openings received about the shaft, the spaced openingsbeing oval having a long axis parallel to the sealing plane when thecomponents are in the storage position.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the connecting means include alost-motion connection between the first latching member and the handleallowing manually driven handle and movable component movement towardthe-dispensing position. i

9. A device. for dispensing treating agent into a washer chamber of anautomatic washing machine comprising an assemblage including a containercomponent and a closure component, means mounting one of the componentsfor relative to the other component movement between the storage anddispensing positions, and sealing elements carried by the components forsealing engagement in the storage position; and i means for holding theassemblage in the storage posi-.

tion and for releasing the same for movement toward the dispensingposition in response to a first control signal from a timing mechanismand in response to a second control signal from manual movement of themovable component away from the storage position, the holding andreleasing means comprising a first latching member and means drivablyconnecting the movable component to the first latching member;

a second latching member defining with the first latching member aplurality of different latching stations operative at the storageposition;

means responsive to a timer signal for moving one of the latchingmembers to an unlatched position for releasing the movable component;and

means operatively connected to the movable component for movementindependently of the first latching member for releasing the movablecomponent in response to manual movement of the-movable component awayfrom the storage position.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the last mentioned means includes acam member for uncoupling the latching members during manually drivenmovement of the movable component away from the storage position.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein the last mentioned, means comprise ahandle, means mounting the handle for movement with the movablecomponent and for movement relative thereto for transmitting holding andopening forces to the movable component, means mounting the cam memberfor movement with the handle for movement away from the storage positionindependently of the first latching member.

UNIT D STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3811,600 Dated May 21, 1974 n n fl James E. Allison/Bob F. Boecker It iscertified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Claim 1, lines 16 and 17, "relative movement to the other componentsmovement" should read movement relative to the other component "Claim 3,line 47, "fir" should be for Claim 7, line 13, after "component" delete"component" Claim 9, line 24, "washer" should b e wash signed and es-ahathis 29th day of October 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

McCOY M GIBSON JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner ofPatents F ORM PC3-1050 (10-69) USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 u,s. GOVERNMENPRINTING OFFICE: 1969 o-ass-su

1. A device for dispensing treating agent into a wash chamber of anautomatic washing machine comprising an assemblage including a containercomponent and a closure component, means mounting one of the componentsfor relative movement to the other components movement between storageand dispensing positions, and sealing elements carried by the componentsfor sealing engagement in the storage position; and means for biasingthe sealing elements together in the storage position, for holding theassemblage in the storage position and for releasing the same formovement toward the dispensing position including a handle and meansmounting the handle for movement with the movable component and formovement relative thereto for transmitting holding and closing forces tothe movable component; a first latching member and means drivablyconnecting the handle to the first latching member independently of themovable component; a second latching member defining with the firstlatching member a plurality of different latching stations operative atthe storage position; and means operative between the handle and themovable component at the storage position for biasing the movablecomponent toward the stationary component for placing the sealingelements in sealing engagement.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein theclosure component comprises a stationary housing having a containerreceiving opening therein and the mounting means comprises meansmounting the container for movement into and out of the housing forrespectively storing and dispensing the agent.
 3. The device of claim 1further comprising means fir biasing the movable component toward thedispensing position upon release of the latching members.
 4. The deviceof claim 1 including means operative in response to manually operatedmovement of the handle toward the dispensing position for uncoupling thedriving connection between the first latch member and the handle.
 5. Thedevice of claim 1 wherein the sealing elements define a sealing plane,the component mounting means comprise means pivotally mounting thecomponents about an axis and means allowing relative movement to thecomponents transverse of the axis along the sealing plane.
 6. The deviceof claim 1 wherein the closure component comprises a stationary housinghaving a container receiving opening therein, the component mountingmeans comprises a shaft journalled in the housing for rotation relativethereto and means mounting the container on the shaft for rotationthereabout, the connecting means including a first member fixed to theshaft for rotation therewith, the first latching member being rotataBlymounted on the shaft and lost motion means operative between the firstmember and the first latching member for driving the first latchingmember in one direction of rotation of the first member and foruncoupling the first member from the first latching member in the otherdirection of rotation.
 7. The device of claim 1 wherein the sealingelements define a sealing plane, the component mounting means comprisemeans pivotally mounting the components about an axis including a shaftjournalled in the stationary component for rotation relative thereto,the movable component component comprising spaced openings receivedabout the shaft, the spaced openings being oval having a long axisparallel to the sealing plane when the components are in the storageposition.
 8. The device of claim 1 wherein the connecting means includea lost-motion connection between the first latching member and thehandle allowing manually driven handle and movable component movementtoward the dispensing position.
 9. A device for dispensing treatingagent into a washer chamber of an automatic washing machine comprisingan assemblage including a container component and a closure component,means mounting one of the components for relative to the other componentmovement between the storage and dispensing positions, and sealingelements carried by the components for sealing engagement in the storageposition; and means for holding the assemblage in the storage positionand for releasing the same for movement toward the dispensing positionin response to a first control signal from a timing mechanism and inresponse to a second control signal from manual movement of the movablecomponent away from the storage position, the holding and releasingmeans comprising a first latching member and means drivably connectingthe movable component to the first latching member; a second latchingmember defining with the first latching member a plurality of differentlatching stations operative at the storage position; means responsive toa timer signal for moving one of the latching members to an unlatchedposition for releasing the movable component; and means operativelyconnected to the movable component for movement independently of thefirst latching member for releasing the movable component in response tomanual movement of the movable component away from the storage position.10. The device of claim 9 wherein the last mentioned means includes acam member for uncoupling the latching members during manually drivenmovement of the movable component away from the storage position. 11.The device of claim 10 wherein the last mentioned, means comprise ahandle, means mounting the handle for movement with the movablecomponent and for movement relative thereto for transmitting holding andopening forces to the movable component, means mounting the cam memberfor movement with the handle for movement away from the storage positionindependently of the first latching member.